Governor Evers Vetoed Auditor Positions in 2025 Budget
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers used his partial veto powers to eliminate funding for four auditor roles last July.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Legislative Policy
Live Poll
Should your state government increase funding for official auditor positions to improve transparency?
In July 2025, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers exercised his partial veto authority to remove funding for four specific auditor positions from the 2025-27 state budget. The move eliminated a provision that would have cost the state $408,400 over the two-year cycle.
Why it matters
The governor maintained that the Legislative Audit Bureau already held sufficient resources and authority to fulfill all of its necessary and discretionary audit requirements without the additional staffing. This decision shaped the final scope of the state budget compromise reached between the executive office and legislative leaders.
Governor Evers removed four auditor positions from the state budget, saving $408,400 over the 2025-27 cycle. The Legislative Audit Bureau retains existing funding to meet its mandate.
The players
Tony Evers
Tony Evers is the Governor of Wisconsin and serves as the state's chief executive officer.
Tom Tiffany
Tom Tiffany is a Representative who has addressed the impact of the governor's budget vetoes in public campaign discourse.
Legislative Audit Bureau
The Legislative Audit Bureau is the nonpartisan state agency responsible for conducting financial and performance audits of Wisconsin government operations.
The details
Governor Evers used his partial veto power to strike the provision after reaching a broader budget agreement with legislative leaders in 2025. The action specifically targeted the expansion of the audit staff, which the administration argued was not essential for current operations.
Timeline
The budget compromise between the governor and legislative leaders occurred in 2025.
Governor Tony Evers vetoed the auditor position funding in July 2025.
Representative Tom Tiffany cited the veto during a campaign in September 2026.
Political Context
This action follows the well-documented pattern of Wisconsin governors utilizing partial veto powers to refine budget legislation passed by the state legislature. Opposition leaders often challenge these moves as an overreach of executive authority in the state's fiscal planning.
The governor's decision means the state budget will carry lower administrative costs than originally drafted by the legislature. Residents may see changes in how state agencies are monitored for efficiency as the Legislative Audit Bureau operates with current staffing levels.
The takeaway
Executive budget vetoes demonstrate the significant influence the governor holds over state fiscal policy and resource allocation. Voters can track how these budgetary adjustments affect the performance of state oversight agencies over the course of the fiscal cycle.
Further reading
Learn more about how state spending plans are modified in Legislative Policy.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WisconsinWatch.
Live Poll
Should your state government increase funding for official auditor positions to improve transparency?
